The books arrived yesterday and when this shopkeeper took a quick browse of the graphic novel that sold out its first 2 editions, he saw the reasons of its popularity beyond the obvious (see attached images).

Another day, another statement on the positions of the negotiating parties in the latest round of talk to save Greece from defaulting on its debt obligations.

As this shopkeeper watches on as the developments unfold over the past several months, he keeps reminding himself this: that Mr Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek Finance Minister, is an economic professor who specialises in Game Theory. Would he and his government prevail and get the upper hand against the multiple much-stronger, seemingly united players in this on-off ‪Grexit Game?Judging by their ever-chaging positioning over the past months, this shopkeeper has great admiration for the Greek strategies in extracting maximum advantage, even though they might eventually have to come to the table and sign-off on package that would be difficult for them to sell to the electorates.And he believes that a deal would be done- after all, a game would not be a game if everyone loses.

Ukiyo-e (浮世絵) is a format of woodblock printing that entered the mainstream Japanese art world during the Edo-Period (17-19 Centuries).

The art form, made famous around the world by Hokusai Katsushika (北斎葛飾) and his "Great Wave off Kanagawa", has great influence not just within Japan but also on the early and post impressionists in Europe that included Monet and Van Gogh.

And later this year, an animation film about Hokusai's daughter will be released. Having seen the trailer (see below), this shopkeeper, who first came across Hokusai's works not on printed materials but in a biopic film called "Edo Porn" 3 decades ago, is eagerly anticipating its international release.

As a follow up to yesterday's blog post, another Japanese artist is the focus of today's post. Well known for his collaboration with Louis Vuitton, Murakami Takashi is also regarded as the founder of the "Superflat" art movement which has, some extent, an influence on Nara's works.

Here are some of the items (mostly art books) on Murakami that are in the shop.

This shopkeeper had the opportunity to visit Nara Yoshimoto's "Life is Only One" exhibition (Bottom Image) at Asian Society in Hong Kong (ends 26 July 2015). He was particular moved by Mr Nara's works done post 11 March 2011, in the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake and Tsunami.

Below are some of the book titles in the shop on Mr Nara Yoshimoto's works.